Good times thru the years...

Christmas is coming!...

So, Thanksgiving has come and gone...we're happy and full! The fridge is full of leftovers...and now the Christmas Season officially begins! I traditionally spend the day after Thanksgiving putting up all our Christmas decorations. As many others are out shopping, making their way thru the crazy crowds and trying to find the best sale price ever...I sleep in as late as I can and then I begin decorating! I love Christmas decorations, but mine are up only during a specific time frame...the day after Thanksgiving until New Years day. They don't go up a day early or come down a day late...ever! The Christmas Spirit is here!

Happy Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again! Time to gather with friends and family and give thanks for all our blessings...(and parades and football and food, food and more food!) Since we don't have family here, our Thanksgiving meal is usually small. This year however, we are having friends over to celebrate with us! And as we thank God for all our blessings...I want my family and friends to know that I love you and am glad all of you are in my life!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

family pics

Happy Birthday John!

Here we go again...another birthday! This time of year is very busy for us!

On Saturday, we celebrated John's 42nd Birthday, at home with friends. The kids and I are so very lucky and blessed to have him. And although we don't always show him, we think he is the BEST HUSBAND and DAD in the world! He works extremely hard to keep this family going. John, WE LOVE YOU!!

Love
One word...
But so many memories.

Happy Birthday John

As our birthdays seem to be coming sooner & sooner each year...I'm reminded of a quote I like by Robert Browning --- "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be."

BIKERS ON PARADE FOR THE USA

In honor of all our veterans and everyone who has and is currently serving our great country...we supported the Bikers On Parade for the USA this past Sunday. We went with friends to watch the largest motorcyle parade in Florida (and possibly in the world!). Of course the military uniforms and flags pull at your heart strings, but really the kids got a kick out of seeing all the bikes and bikers. It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon and a great way to show support of our veterans. All of us are proud to be Americans and we need to take the time to remember the men and women who have given so much in honor of our country and to protect our freedom. THANK YOU to all those who serve our country and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

JR Orlando Magic Dance Clinic

On Saturday, Gianna and her Girl Scout troop went to Orlando for a dance clinic given by the Orlando Magic Dancers. All the girls had a blast! They learned a dance routine that they performed for all the parents, families and friends. They got autographs and pictures with the Orlando Magic Dancers, facepainting, bounce houses and basketball!

Sam is 3!!!

I can't believe it. My baby is 3 years old! Really, where does time go?!?! Samantha is a very strong-willed, independent 3 year old. She's huggable, loveable and adorable! : ) Singing and dancing are among her favorite things to do. She loves to be outside, running, playing and climbing on monkey-bars! Her favorite colors are Pink & Purple : ) She's very intelligent and tests Mommy and Daddy everyday! She is a wonderful gift from God!




After celebrating at home with friends. We took Sam to Build-A-Bear, where she got her first BAB bear! She picked out a Pink Bear with White Hearts, dressed her as Tinkerbell, and named her Tinkerbear!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM! WE ALL LOVE YOU!

"This Is America"

...a play presented by the 4th grade at Hidden Oak Elementary, dedicated to our veterans and all who are serving our country. It was a great play! The video slide show with the kids singing the song "Proud To Be An American" made me cry. Gianna did an awesome job with all her parts!

...oh to be 40!

According to W.B. Pitkin, "Life begins at forty." And to George William Curtis, "Age is a matter of feeling, not of years."

Well, we'll soon see...won't we!

TRICK or TREAT

Trick or Treating 2008 and the Annual Halloween Party at Legacy. We all had a great time!

Is it Halloween Yet?

Halloween is still 3 days away...but my kids are getting ready. They can't wait! Halloween is always fun for us. Dominic is too old for trick-or-treating...however, he does enjoy handing out treats to the little kids in the neighborhood. Gianna is still 'all about' trick-or-treating and Sam is learning what all the excitement is about. We'll see how 'excited' she is when we go to a Halloween Party Thursday night. There may be some screams...

GROSSOLOGY!

Gianna's Girl Scout troop explored the science behind the "gross" things that occur in the human body. The exhibit, at the UF Museum of Natural History, is based on the children's book Grossology by Sylvia Branzei. It's an imaginative, hands-on exhibit that shows the good, the bad and the downright ugly about runny noses, body odor, bad breath and many other bodily functions. All the girls (and even some parents!) had a really great time!

My Little Ballerina

Cool Ride!

While in Cedar Key to celebrate Dominic's birthday, the kids came across this cool ride. Not your usual golf cart! If allowed to, I'm sure they could have spent hours driving around the entire island!

"Hair today...gone today"

During the middle of 8th grade, Dominic decided he wanted to let his hair grow. So, he did...by the end of summer, he had a head full of thick, wavy dark hair.

On August 15, Dominic got "THE haircut". Like his mom, we love our thick wavy hair...but it gets hot and heavy (especially in the Florida heat!). So, before he started High School, he went to the salon, and went from long to short in a matter of seconds!

Happy Birthday Dominic!

Gammy was here to celebrate with us. We went to Frog's Landing in Cedar Key for dinner!




I can't believe it! Dominic is 14! He has grown into an execeptional young man. When I look at him, I can't believe he's my baby boy.....

Happy 14th Birthday Dominic! I love you more each day!

Best Friends

Sam & Chloe THEN....

Sam and Chloe looking out for Daddy....waiting so patiently for him to come home. Sam loves her "big dog" Chloe and they both love to look out the window for people and pets they know!

...and NOW

Wild Waters

On Monday, we went to Wild Waters, a small waterpark in Ocala. It's very small compared to the BIG parks in Orlando, but we had an awesome time! It literally was a PERFECT day! The weather was great, no crowds, the kids were wonderful...and Gammy was with us! We rented a private cabana and surprisingly the food was good. Dominic and Gianna loved all the rides...the Alligator Ambush and the Hurricane were their favorites. Sam loved the wave pool...and I think could have stayed in the water all day! We felt like we were on vacation and we were only 45 minutes from home!

4th of July 2008

This year we went to "The Biggest Smalltown 4th of July Celebration in America"...Alachua, FL. It was a great time. We went with our friends, the Reece's. Activities for the kids (big kids too!), food, music and of course FIRE WORKS! Sam still calls it "Her Party"....she thought it was all for her. We had a blast and plan to return next year and maybe for years to come.